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Increases in Roof Installation Activity to Spur Distributors’ Sales

US roofing distribution sales growth will be driven by the roofing industry’s increasing reliance on small - and medium-sized contractors to perform roof installation and repair jobs. These contractors nearly always purchase roofing from distributors because of their ability to supply contractors with the desired amount of roofing while offering such high-value services as jobsite and rooftop delivery, technical assistance, and drone-based cost-estimation programs.

Key Findings in the Roofing Distribution Study

Roofing Distributors to Account for a Larger Share of Total Roofing Sales

Distributors accounted for the large majority of US roofing sales in 2016 and will further boost their presence in the market going forward. Distributors -- especially large-sized firms that sell roofing as their primary product line -- will see sales gains as manufacturers increasingly concentrate on the production of roofing. Roofing distributors will use their large size to purchase roofing in bulk quantities and re-sell it to contractors at favorable price points. Furthermore, distributors can use their network of warehouses and logistical knowledge to rapidly adjust to changing market conditions, such as quickly supplying contractors in storm-ravaged areas with materials for reroofing projects.

Residential Market to see Faster Sales Growth

Roofing distribution sales to the residential market are anticipated to see strong growth through 2021. In the new housing market, rapid gains in housing starts will fuel advances. Home builders will increasingly subcontract out all facets of roof installation jobs to local contractors, including the purchase of the roofing. The much larger residential reroofing segment will also see sales gains. Rising property values and homeowner interest in improving the curb appeal of their residences will lead to an increase in home improvement projects like roof replacement. Contractors performing more installation jobs will in turn order more roofing from distributors, spurring sales gains.

Leading Roofing Distributors Will Continue to Dominate Market

In 2016, the four leading US roofing distributors -- ABC Supply, Beacon Roofing Supply, Allied Building Products, and SRS Distribution -- together accounted for nearly three-fourths of total US roofing sales. Going forward, these companies will command an even larger share of the roofing distribution market. These leading distributors will post sales gains because of their broad purchasing power, which allows them to buy roofing at favorable pricing and pass savings on to customers. Furthermore, leading distributors will continue to purchase competitors, adding sales locations and expanding into new local and regional markets.

The Roofing Industry Goes to Washington
Today begins the National Roofing Contractors Association's first-ever Roofing Day summit, and current events are sure to feature prominently in talks on Capitol Hill. Find out which headline-worthy news items one Freedonia analyst expects to dominate discussions.

Shortage of Skilled Tradespeople Affecting Roofing Industry
Roofing contractors and other construction professionals would view a surge in calls for reroofing jobs as a golden opportunity. However, in recent years, a shortage of experienced roofers created challenges for many contractors. Find out how this labor shortage impacts roofing materials choices.

Roofing Distributors Shield Themselves from Competition through Acquisitions
As the US home construction and remodeling market heats up, roofing distributors -- companies that buy roofing in bulk and re-sell it in more manageable quantities to contractors and other customers -- are poised to capitalize. Several major distributors are working to consolidate the industry and expand their respective footprints.

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Roofing Distribution Market in the US by Sales Channel, Market and Product